In a move that has turned heads ahead of the Rajya Sabha by-election, BJP candidate Debashish Samantaray has revealed a staggering personal fortune of more than Rs 17 crore in his nomination affidavit.
The 66-year-old former BJD leader, who quit the party and resigned from the upper house just last month, filed his papers on Friday in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister, several ministers and BJP MLAs at the Assembly.
According to the affidavit, SamaSamantarayntray and his wife Bitasta Samantaray together own immovable assets worth approximately Rs 12.88 crore. Samantray’s share stands at Rs 7.25 crore, while his wife’s immovable properties are valued at Rs 5.63 crore. Their combined movable assets add another Rs 5.61 crore to the kitty, pushing the family’s total wealth well above Rs 17 crore. Samantray’s personal net worth is listed at around Rs 9.50 crore and his wife’s at Rs 8.98 crore. The affidavit also shows liabilities of Rs 88.74 lakh against Samantray and Rs 83.23 lakh against his wife.
On the legal front, three cases are still pending against Samantray — related to the Excise Act and Companies Act — though no charges have been framed so far. He was convicted in two other cases, both of which were later compounded after payment of fines.
Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination, a visibly confident Samantaray said, “BJD is becoming empty. More and more leaders will join BJP in the coming days. There is greater scope to serve the people here. With a double-engine government, I will be able to do much more work.” He added that the warm welcome he received from the party made him feel “at home”.The by-election became necessary after Samantaray resigned from the Rajya Sabha following his switch from the Biju Janata Dal to the BJP.
